``Their physical safety would be in jeopardy by being incarcerated,'' said defense attorney Paul Brunton, who represents Desonia.

The defendants worked for Wexford Health Sources Inc., a private company that contracted with Tulsa County to serve the jail.

Desonia and Ms. Crawford are accused of withholding additional medical treatment for an inmate who died Oct. 14 of a ruptured ulcer.

Charles Edward Guffey, 39, was found dead in his cell after screaming ``I'm dying'' and ``I can't breathe.'' Testimony to a multicounty grand jury indicated neither Ms. Crawford nor Desonia would move Guffey to a medical area in spite of requests from jailers who heard him screaming in pain.